China's defense budget increase reasonable, responsible: Pakistani analyst

A Pakistani analyst said here Friday the increase in China's defense budget is reasonable and responsible. [Special coverage]

Ikram Sehgal, a renowned defense analyst and former military officer, told Xinhua that the budget looks more responsible by considering the vastness of China's land, its population and expanse of its air and sea responsibilities.

"The reaction from the West is totally illogical. These Western countries are double standards," he said.

"Chinese population, big territory, demands of the current era and the inflation at the international level are the logical reasons behind the increase in the defense budget," Sehgal said.

"It has now become compulsory for China to modernize its air force and navy to face and counter threats," he added.

Negating some media reports about Chinese military threat, Sehgal said he does not believe China has any secret plan but to make its land safer because "the most significant feature of China 's policy is the peaceful coexistence."

"China has never ever posed any threat to any bigger or smaller states in the neighborhood, in the region or around the world. China's positive role in the world community is appreciable as a peace lover," Sehgal said.